Teachers' Salary Scale

Adamu Adamu: Minister of Education

On a day set aside to celebrate teachers worldwide, the Federal Government of Nigeria, announce a special salary for

teachers and extending their years of service from, 35  years to 40 years.

Both are welcome. The question is in implementation. Resources are scarce but not in the lifestyle of government officials.

I can attest to the fact that the implication of the above incentives on our national budget is quite significant and will involve a lot of sacrifice on the part of the government.

An idea of the type of sacrifice required of the government is what goes on in homes. Parents give to their children what they they dare not use.

A school came to my church to advertise their boarding facilities and among other things, we were informed that they would be feeding boarders 5 times daily.

Now, parents may have to start feeding twice a day to afford to send their children where they would be fed five times a day.

Would our government prefer that to white elephant projects with opportunities for cuts for the party, party officials and the Executive?

That is the bane of our education. That explains why the private sector is now taking the lead in the provision of education from Nursery to the highest level.

The implication of this is the deepening of division among our children. Not even youth service can bridge the gap.

Can the private sector agree to pay the new teachers' scale? Extending the years of service is less problematic but the pay is the issue.

The sooner government realizes the need to focus on education the easier it will be to appeal to the patriotic instinct of the people. 

For now government cannot and should not imitate J F Kennedy in advising 'ask not what your  country can do for you, but what you can do for your country'.